Mechanism for loading watch-jewels



(N'oModeL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. E. HUNTER. MECHANISM FOR LOADING WATCH JEWELS.

N0.-520,681. Patented May 29, 1894.

lllLt Wax/w I W M A? M,

MM 6. M/Q A WM (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. E. HUNTER. MECHANISM FOR LOADING WATCH JEWELS.

Patented May 29, 1894.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G. E. HUNTER.

I MECHANISM FOR LOADING WATGH JEWELS. No. 520,681. Patented May 29, 1894.

GEORGE E. HUNTER, OF ELGIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELGIN NATIONAL WATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MECHANISM FOR LOADING WATCH-JEWELS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 520,681, dated May 29, 1894.

Application filed August 22, 1892. Serial No. 443,767. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. HUNTER, of Elgin,in the county of Kane, and in theState of Illinois,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Loading Watch-Jewels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a perspective view of my machine as preferably constructed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View from the lower side of one of the jewels. Fig. 4 is a like view of the upper end of the loading spindle. Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of said spindle and the jewel holding tube, said parts being shown in the relative positions occupied just before a jewel is placed within said holder; and Fig. 6 is alike View of the same after the jewel has been passed between the detents which operate to inclose the lower end of said holder.

Letters of like name'and kind refer to like parts in the several figures.

The object of my invention is to enable jewels to be automatically loaded into the holder employed for setting the same, and such invention consists in the construction and com bination of parts, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of my invention into practice, a spindle A is journaled vertically within a suitable frame B and by any desired means is adapted to be revolved. Within said frame is journaled horizontally a shaft 0 that carries a disk D which is provided within one face with a cam groove 01. A bar E having one end pivoted upon saidvframe, and its opposite end e forked, engages with a collar (it upon said spindle and at a suitable point is provided with a pin 6 that projects into said groove so that the rotation of said shaft will cause said bar to be rocked vertically and the motion of its outer end being communicated to said spindle will give to the latter a longitudinally reciprocating motion. The lower portion of the spindle which is contained within the bearings 12 and b has such diameter as mayberequisite to give to it strength and durability, but the upper portion of said spindle is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the balance staff jewels F and F to be handled, and at its upper end isprovided with a stud a which corresponds with the semi-spherical recess f in the lower side of each jewel.

Supported by the frame B above and in a line, axially, with the spindle A is a jewel holding tube G which interiorly has such diameter as to permit of the ready insertion of the jewels F and F and at its lower end is nearly closed by means of a number of spring detents H and H, so that when jewels are placed in said tube, they may be prevented from dropping out. Said detents are adapted to be moved in radial lines and have each a beveled edge k that enables them to be readily separated by the rounded upper face of a jewel when the latter is pressed upward against said edges.

A hopper I suitably supported at a point below the lower end of the holder G and through which the reduced upper portion of the spindle A projects, completes the apparatus, the operation of which is as follows, viz:Jewels are placed within the hopper and the spindle caused to rotate and to reciprocate longitudinally as hereinbefore described. At each upward movementof said spindle its upper end passes through the jewels contained in said hopper and one of the same is nearly certain to be caught upon and raised by said end. If the jewel so raised has its lower face downward its recess will engage with the stud upon said spindle end and the rotation of the spindle will not displace it, but if the position of the jewel is reversed, then the rotation of the spindle will cause said jewel to be thrown off. When a jewel is properly engaged the continued upward motion of the spindle will carry it through the detents into the holder, when by the inward motion of such detents it will be held when said spindle descends. There is left between the inner ends of said detents an opening slightly larger than the diameter of 7 said spindle so that there is no interference with the downward movement of the latter nor does itcome into contact with said detents should no jewel be carried up. When it is desired to load other kinds of j ewels,known upper end of the spindle, as other means besides the rotation of said spindle may be employed, which will not involve a departure from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a mechanism for loading jewels into a holder, the combination of a reciprocable plunger or spindle, a holder to which jewels are to be moved directly by the latter and supported in line therewith, and a hopper or receptacle from which the jewels are to be moved, located in the path of the plunger or spindle in moving to the holder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine for loading jewels into a holder, the combination of a jewel hopper or receptacle, and a vertically reciprocable plunger movable through the same adapted to support a jewel upon its upper end and convey it to the holder said upper end being formed to fit a certain side of the jewel, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a machine for loading jewels into a holder, the combination of a jewel hopper to contain a quantity or mass of jewels, a Vertically reciprocable plunger adapted to support a jewel upon its upper end and convey it in a predetermined position to the holder,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a machine for loading jewels into a holder, the combination of a hopper, a vertically reciprocable, rotary, spindle movable through the same and adapted to engage and support a jewel in a particular position at its upper end, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of June, 1892.

GEORGE E. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

GEO. S. PRINDLE, CARLos H. SMITH. 

